How Long Should You Wait to Open the Radiator Cap When the Car Overheats?
1 Answers
When the car's radiator is overheated, you need to wait for more than 15 minutes after stopping the car before safely opening the radiator cap. Otherwise, the high temperature of the radiator can easily cause burns. Methods to handle an overheated car radiator: Stop the car immediately, but do not turn off the engine right away. Keep the engine idling for a while, turn the car's heater to the maximum setting to help dissipate heat, and open the hood to assist in cooling. Only turn off the engine after the coolant temperature drops to a normal level. Generally, a car's temperature gauge reading of 90 degrees is normal. After starting the vehicle, the antifreeze temperature rises quickly. Once the needle reaches the middle position, the heat exchange balances out, and the antifreeze temperature stops rising—this is the optimal time to start driving. The main reasons for an excessively high temperature gauge reading include coolant leakage, insufficient coolant, and a faulty cooling fan. Coolant leakage or insufficient coolant: A leak in the cooling system can lead to low antifreeze levels, causing the antifreeze temperature to rise. If the antifreeze level is found to be low, first check for leaks. If there is a leak, promptly add the same type of antifreeze. Do not use tap water or other types of antifreeze, as this may cause dilution or sedimentation, leading to failure or malfunctions. Faulty cooling fan: A malfunctioning cooling fan can prevent timely heat dissipation from the antifreeze when the car engine is running at medium to high speeds, leading to increased antifreeze temperature and issues like boiling over. In such cases, the cooling fan needs to be replaced.
